On the weekend when Phil Foden and Cole Palmer helped Manchester City and Chelsea win their respective Premier League games, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers also showed why he can secure the starting No. 10 spot in England national team.
On Sunday, Villa, riding an eight-game winning streak across all competitions, faced a tough challenge in the first half away to bottom-three West Ham United. Having only narrowly beaten Basel away in the Europa League on Thursday, Villa looked tired and lacking inspiration, while West Ham ended the first half leading 2-1.
However, Rogers decided to take matters into his own hands in the second half. The 23-year-old scored his first goal five minutes after the restart, tapping home from close range to level the score at 2-2 after West Ham failed to clear Youri Tielemans' low cross.
Then, with 10 minutes remaining in the game, Rogers received the ball 30 yards from goal, had ample time and space, and unleashed a powerful, curling shot into the top right corner of Alphonse Areola's goal, securing a ninth consecutive win for Unai Emery.
Rogers' outstanding performance not only brought victory to the team but also consolidated his position as England's first-choice No. 10 for next summer's World Cup—despite fierce competition from world-class players such as Foden, Palmer and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
Theo Walcott, BBC Pundit & Former Arsenal Striker, said: “He scored two wonderful goals. For me, not only will he be in the national team next summer, he is definitely a starter for England at the World Cup—100 percent. He can do everything, not just be a goal threat. I like all of them (the No. 10 contenders), but one of them will miss out on the squad—and for me, Rogers has to start.”
As for Foden, the Manchester City midfield mainstay spoke about his off-field struggles and injury issues last season, which prevented him from showing his best form. But the 25-year-old is gradually approaching his peak, scoring his 10th goal of the season in City's hard-fought away win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Six of those goals have come in his last five games, highlighting that he is finding his form as the season progresses and City chases league leaders Arsenal.
After failing to score for 87 days, Palmer ended his goal drought by opening the scoring in the first half of Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton last Saturday—a game watched by England manager. The 23-year-old is still dealing with a groin injury that has kept him out for most of the season, and he also suffered an accidental toe fracture at home before Chelsea's 2-0 win over Burnley in late November.
After rusty performances against Leeds United and Bournemouth, he calmly converted a pass from Malo Gusto on Saturday, showing that he has not lost the instinct that saw him score 15 goals in 37 league games last season.
Of course, Southgate also has another world-class ace in Bellingham, who scored one goal and provided one assist against Real Madrid's derby rivals Barcelona at the end of October. But like Xabi Alonso's team as a whole, he has been in inconsistent form recently.
The 22-year-old has scored four goals and provided three assists this season, after being directly involved in 30 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season.
In addition, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder's frustrated reaction after being substituted in England's World Cup qualifier win over Albania last month is unlikely to boost his chances of starting England's opening World Cup game against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17.
